Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2004
397 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extent of asbestos used in housing construction over the past 40 years; the Government’s programme to deal with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33197/04]
View answer
The extent of usage of asbestos containing materials in housing construction over the past 40 years is not known to my Department. The marketing and reuse of asbestos products has been banned from 1 April 2000. Asbestos containing materials were, in the past, used in some roofing materials, as a constituent of some floor tiling and in some fire resistant panels.
While it is a matter for individual authorities responsible for housing maintenance to consider, in particular circumstances, the desirability of removing any asbestos containing materials present in their rented housing stock, it is not considered necessary to instigate a specific programme in this respect nor has the Department been requested by local authorities to do so generally.
An information leaflet entitled Asbestos in your Home is available from ENFO, my Department's public information service on environmental matters. This includes advice on the maintenance of asbestos materials and their removal and disposal. The leaflet advises the public to contact the Health and Safety Authority to obtain information on handling and use of asbestos.
